Oil seals, also referred to as shaft seals, are widely used to prevent the leakage of medium (such as oils and grease) along a rotating shaft. This leak prevention is primarily achieved by the sealing element which can be made from a wide range of materials that are chosen according to each application. They are commonly used in gearboxes, hydraulic cylinders, and related components.
An oil seal is designed to perform three major functions: to prevent lubricants from leaking outside the seal even under high pressure, to act as a barrier to retain the lubricating oil, and to prevent dirt and other contaminants from entering the unit.
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Oil seals normally consist of three basic components: the sealing element, the metal case, and garter spring.
The sealing element makes up the interior of the oil seal, and the materials commonly used are:
The metal case is the exterior (or frame) of the oil seal, the principal function of which is to give rigidity and strength to the seal. The material of the case must be selected depending on the environment where the seals are to be used. Often the metal case is covered by the same rubber material used in the sealing element, which also helps seal the exterior of the oil seal in the housing bore. Common case material types are:
The garter spring is located at the end of the primary sealing lip and used to apply pressure to the sealing lip against the shaft. Common garter spring material types are:
Global O-Ring and Seal carries a full line of oil seals in all industry standard sizes and has the ability to create custom oil seals. If you are a distributor or user of oil seals who may have need for our services, contact us today to speak with one of our team members, request a no-obligation quote, or place an order from our extensive inventory at GlobalOring.com.
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Want to learn more? Read &#;Oil Seals 101, Part 2&#;.
All About Oil Seals
Oil seals go by many names, such as shaft seals, dirt seals, grease seals, lip seals, and many other variations of these. They are essentially simple devices used in rotary shaft equipment to prevent lubricant from escaping and for excluding contaminants such as dust, dirt and water. An oil seal&#;s most important function, however, is that it protects every type of ball, sleeve and roller bearing in the rotating shafts. The seals also prevent the integration of two different fluids that shouldn&#;t mix, such as oil and water.
The basic principle of an oil seal is fairly straightforward. It is installed adjacent to the bearing, with the flexible lip against the rotating shaft and the casing pressed into the housing to hold the seal in place. It&#;s important that the sealing lip is lubricated to prevent it from overheating as a result of any generated friction. It&#;s also crucial to understand which type of seal is appropriate for your particular machinery. Before selecting your seal, consider the environment, temperature, pressure and shaft speed of your machine, as well as the type of medium the seal will come into contact with during operation. These considerations will all determine the size, colour, and type of lip material or sealing element to choose, and whether it can be sealed in or sealed out.
Oil seals are made from multiple compounds and materials. Some of the oldest, still in use today, are leather and felt compounds. The trend in mass production, however, has seen a move towards synthetic rubber or elastomers. Nitrile is by far the most popular material but developments in PTFE have created a surge of interest in buyers needing seals for high-speed shaft rotation applications. Viton is taking over from the polyacrylic and silicone, as it works better in high-temperature applications and has a high-resistance to abrasion and harmful chemicals.
There are various sizes of industrial and ordinary oil seals, ranging from 0 to 33cm (13in). These varieties are also designed for different temperatures. As long as your seal matches the original equipment it&#;s intended for, you can be sure your machine will perform at its best. For further guidance and information regarding oil seals, don&#;t hesitate to contact our knowledgeable team. We are always available to assist you with your bearing, seal and gasket needs.
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